By Brooks Halliday
The joys of parenthood are numerous, but you may not be able to count them because you’re too tired. At least, that’s how I felt when I became a mom. Whether it’s the round-the-clock schedule of a newborn, middle-of-the-night wakeups with a toddler, or contending with a teenage night owl, sleep is high on the list of sacrifices we make as parents. And a rough night of sleep can lead to a difficult morning.
When my second son came around, our morning routine felt close to impossible. I was dealing with both a baby and a child who needed to get ready and out the door to school. So, a big cup of coffee and a satisfying breakfast became essential to my survival. But cooking during those hectic early hours was not an option most days, so I came to rely on cold cereal and granola bars. I would get a short-lived burst of energy, but find myself crashing quickly. I was missing the homemade, filling breakfasts that I used to make to start my day. I’d often think, “If only breakfast could magically be waiting for me when I wake up.”
That’s when I discovered the next-best thing—make-ahead easy breakfast recipes. These meals set up hands-free overnight for a nutritious homemade breakfast that’s ready whenever I am. I assemble them while making my son’s lunch the night before, and wake up to a filling, delicious breakfast for the whole family. These easy breakfast recipes are so simple that parents can practically make them in their sleep.
Overnight Sheet Pan Pancakes
Pancakes are one of my son’s favorite foods, but I never thought I could pull them off on a school day. Baking them on a sheet tray is a game-changer. The batter sets up overnight, so I just throw it in the oven in the morning. My son loves that he can customize them with fruit or chocolate chips for a special treat. It’s quickly become one of our favorite easy breakfast recipes.
Get the recipe: Overnight Sheet Pan Pancakes
Sheet Pan Breakfast Quesadillas
Anything on a sheet pan is a win in my book. I love making these quick, breakfast quesadillas and freezing each rectangle to be microwaved as needed during the week. Plus, I can customize them to what my family likes.
Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Breakfast Quesadillas
Mango Chia Pudding
There’s always a bag of chia seeds in my pantry—mostly because I make chia pudding so often. I mix all the ingredients in individual Mason jars so my husband can grab them as he’s leaving for work. The mango makes it look and taste special, but it’s incredibly easy to make and super filling to get me and my family through to lunch.
Get the recipe: Mango Chia Seed Pudding
Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole
I first tried this Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole recipe when I was hosting a brunch for my girlfriends. Everyone loved it, and it was so easy to make that it became a weekday regular my entire family looks forward to. Bonus: It tastes like bread pudding, so you can even enjoy leftovers as dessert the next day.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole
Pumpkin Pie Spice Oatmeal
When you think of pumpkin pie spice, you think decadent and delicious fall flavors, and this recipe lives up to the hype. It actually tastes like a slice of pumpkin pie. It’s perfect for everyone in the family. Both my husband and older son, who are reluctant oatmeal eaters, eat this with zero complaints.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Pie Spice Oatmeal
Freezer Make-Ahead Egg Muffin Sandwiches
For a freezer-friendly savory breakfast, these sandwiches come in handy. The recipe calls for chopped spinach, but I’ll swap in any vegetable I know my kids will eat. I can prep a batch over the weekend in just a few minutes and have them ready to be microwaved in the morning.
Get the recipe: Freezer Make-Ahead Egg Muffin Sandwiches
Bonus: Spiced Overnight Cold Brew Coffee
I am a cold brew fanatic. I prefer it to hot coffee, which is why I used to make daily runs to the coffee shop. This recipe has saved me, I don’t know how much time and money, and it tastes even better than the stuff I used to buy. Turmeric has some great health benefits, so that’s a bonus, though I mostly just taste the cardamom and cinnamon. With a splash of oat milk, it’s perfection paired with one of these easy breakfast recipes.
Get the recipe: Spiced Overnight Cold Brew Coffee
Brooks Halliday is a writer, recipe developer, food stylist, and mom based in New York City. In addition to writing for Savory and Hannaford Fresh magazine, she’s created delicious dishes for The Barefoot Contessa TV series, the James Beard Award-nominated special “Barefoot in Washington,” as well as numerous cookbooks and product brands, including Coca-Cola, Tyson, and Pepsi.
